Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History

The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History is a history museum in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, built on the former site of samurai residences in the Naka-kuruwa area inside the Himeji Castle grounds. The building was designed by the renowned architect Kenzo Tange, a recipient of the Order of Culture. The design is carefully calculated—for example, the glass exterior reflects Himeji Castle (a National Treasure)—making it a very photogenic spot. Access is by Shinki Bus from JR Sanyo Main Line Himeji Station; get off at “Himeyama Koen-kita / Hakubutsukan-mae,” right nearby. The museum’s 1st floor is entirely free to enter; the lobby displays a model of Himeji Castle, and you can drop in casually to learn about the history of Hyogo Prefecture. The paid areas on the 2nd floor are also impressive. It is recommended to study the section “Himeji Castle and the Castle Town” first, and then visit Himeji Castle itself. Other corners are also well worth seeing, including the “Children’s Museum,” where you can enjoy children’s worlds from the Edo period to modern times, and “Hyogo’s Festivals,” which features magnificent danjiri festival floats. Nearby are other attractions such as Koko-en Garden, the Himeji City Museum of Art, and the Himeji Literature Museum, which are also good to visit together.